The race is on.
With the end of the major league season soon approaching, the race for the American League Most Valuable Player award is only heating up, and the New York Yankees are smack in the middle of it. Aaron Judge is having another career season at 33 years old, displaying his usual impressive power but also dominating across the board at the plate as he usually does. However, there’s a challenger this season for Judge’s top spot in the AL: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.
The 28-year-old
backstop is in his fourth full season and has been above average over the course of his career to this point. Last season, he totalled over 100 RBI and finished with 5.4 fWAR. However, he has cranked things up a notch this year, smashing 56 home runs and is at 8.4 fWAR before the 2025 season is even over.
Against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, Raleigh mashed his 55th and 56th home runs of the season, which put him in exclusive Mariners and switch-hitter territory. Mickey Mantle hit 54 home runs in 1961 for the Yankees, the previous record for a switch-hitter in MLB history, and Ken Griffey Jr. had 56 bombs in 1997 and ’98, now tied for the most in Mariners history.
Raleigh’s power display this season has been undoubtedly one of the most impressive performances in baseball history (alongside Judge’s of recent years). Still, there are some caveats that Judge brings to the table when talking about it in the larger MVP race context.
While Raleigh does have the lead in home runs and RBI, some would point out that Judge’s slashline of .326/.451/.676 compared to Raleigh’s of .247/.361/.590, and Judge’s higher fWAR and wRC+ of 199 compared to Raleigh’s 161 show that he’s been more valuable in the batter’s box overall. Judge’s 48 home runs to Raleigh’s 56 is still a relatively significant difference, and whether or not those who are voting for the MVP race consider that Judge missed 10 games due to injury is up in the air. But that context is certainly worth remembering come season’s end.
A key narrative supporting Raleigh’s MVP case is his playing position. The fact that he has hit this many home runs and is playing arguably the most critical position in all of baseball, purely for what catchers have to do on a game-to-game basis, and the wear and tear they have to deal with behind the plate. It’s both a mentally and physically taxing position, and while right field is a vital position, catcher has a load of responsibilities that are unique to it.
Regardless of how Yankees or Mariners fans feel about the other player in this MVP race or who wins, it’s worth mentioning that this race is great for baseball. Similar to the ongoing debate between Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani over recent seasons, there will be constant discussion about who is the better player or more deserving of their respective awards. But, regardless of your position on the matter, it’s worth remembering that we are watching two players who are having seasons that will live in baseball history. Judge is continuing his streak of dominance, batting almost 100 percent better than the average player while playing above-average defense. Raleigh is pursuing something only Judge has done in recent history while also playing one of the most taxing positions in the sport, if not the most.
So, no matter where anyone stands on the issue of Judge versus Raleigh for the AL MVP award, baseball is being done a great service because of these two players. The MLB season will end soon, so, while (hopefully) both of these players will move into the postseason with their respective clubs, everyone should cherish the amazing baseball we’re witnessing from these two individuals.
